Cooper Connolly in frame for debut on dusty Galle surface

Galle: Australia are seriously considering a debut for West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly in the second Test against Sri Lanka, to provide another left-arm spin option on what shapes as a sharply turning track.

Should Connolly receive his baggy green cap it would either be at the expense of Tasmanian Beau Webster, who has barely put a foot wrong in his first two Tests but was not required to bowl at all last week on a pitch that was not as dusty, or Todd Murphy.

Cooper Connolly at training on Wednesday on the eve of a potential Test debut.Credit: Getty Images

While Connolly, 21, has bowled just 96 balls in first-class cricket in Australia and is yet to take a wicket, his left-arm spin has been effective in training both in Dubai and Galle, generating some eye-catching turn and bounce at times.

He would most likely come in to bat at seven behind wicketkeeper Alex Carey, as Webster did in the first Test. The Australians will wait until after their final training session later on Wednesday to confirm their team.

“It’s another batter that bowls more than handy spin, and spins the same way as [Matt] Kuhnemann,” acting captain Steve Smith said. “We’ve got a few that go the same way as Nathan [Lyon] and Todd [Murphy].

“From what I’ve seen in the nets he bowls some really good balls. He was pretty consistent where he was bowling in Dubai and in the nets here and that’s all you’ve got to do in these conditions, try to bowl as many good balls in a good area as you can and the conditions just take over.

“I think he’s only bowled [96 balls] back in Australia, but it’s entirely different the way you bowl. And I think the way he does bowl and the way the ball comes out suits him quite nicely.”

Asked about Webster, Smith admitted that he saw Travis Head as a more obvious bowling option in these conditions. Even then, Head bowled just two overs in the first Test, even though he claimed four wickets here in one innings in 2022 – the spell that gave birth to his “spinning finger on ice” celebration.

As for Murphy, who took one wicket in the first Test, Smith said that he preferred three specialist spinners in the event of fatigue or unfavourable match-ups.

“Todd, watching him bowl in the nets the other day, he bowled beautifully,” Smith said. “He was coming over the top of the ball and probably found a bit more natural variation as well. I think he’s taken a couple of learnings out of the last game, which he can continue to take if selected in this one.”

Smith confirmed the top six would remain unchanged, meaning another opportunity for Marnus Labuschagne to make a big score at No.3 ahead of Cameron Green’s probable return to the squad in June for the World Test Championship final.

Marnus Labuschagne of Australia bats during day one.Credit: Getty Images

“I thought he played well at the back end of the summer, it looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a bit more, he was proactive in the way he was playing, and he looked good at the start of his last innings here,” Smith said. “The ball he got actually spun a fair bit from [Jeffrey] Vandersay and caught the edge. So he was disappointed to miss out last game, but he’s batting well.

“It’s just playing what’s in front of you. The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it is spinning and the inconsistencies, the more aggressive you actually have to be with your batting or the more proactive you have to be.

“I think when it’s a bit flatter you can almost sit on them a bit and wait for loose balls rather than go and look for them. So I think he understands that, he understands spin and angles and all those things, so I don’t think he’s far away from a good score.”

Josh Inglis’ debut hundred has opened up some conversation around whether he could slot into Carey’s spot, but Smith shot that down by stressing how well the incumbent was keeping wicket and supporting the bowlers.

“He’s keeping as well as I’ve ever seen him keep. He’s been outstanding behind the stumps in all conditions,” Smith said. “I think he’s batting beautifully too, whenever he gets the opportunity he’s putting pressure back on the opposition.

“His method’s super clear in these conditions, he’s arguably one of the best on the horizontal plane that I’ve seen. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s his job.”

Head coach Andrew McDonald earlier stated that Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are both unlikely to be fit for the Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan, and Smith said he was open to captaining the white-ball team to that event.

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